Online review by The AU reviewWhat better way to spend Remembrance Day than by celebrating the classic songs of Nick Drake, performed by a wonderful selection of artists from around the world and accompanied by a remarkable thirteen piece ensemble. The night, titled Way To Blue, after the Drake song of the same name, was curated by Joe Boyd, who produced two of Nick’s records – Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter. These shows have appeared around the world in acclaimed sold out performances, and last night it was indeed Sydney’s chance to remember the greatly missed talent in the confines of the beautiful Sydney Opera House.
Following an instrumental introduction, Robyn Hitchcock kicked the night off with “Parasite”, one of Drake’s more infamously depressing numbers. The famed singer and guitarist, dressed like he was ready to ride a Melbourne Cup winner, did the song ample justice, and set a precedence that the rest of the night would follow: a beautifully produced, expertly performed celebration of the back catalogue of Nick Drake. As you might agree, ensemble performances – and especially tribute showcases don’t always go as plan. Some songs work, some songs don’t, and there’ll often be technical problems as artists change… but tonight went off without a hitch (except for one brief moment in which Robyn Hitchcock couldn’t get his guitar to work and proclaimed “I’m not that good anyway… it’s been more of an experiment than anything else, this guitar thing. It’s only been thirty years.”), with each and every song performed with grace, respect and passion. What more could you ask for?
The set featured a rotating door of vocalists and musicians, who were aptly accompanied by thirteen musicians. This included a seven piece string ensemble and legendary bassist Danny Thompson who performed on Drake’s records (and just about every album since), among others. Many arrangements were put together by the late Robert Kirby, and all together the production felt like this was Drake’s music fully realised. The sort of live sound Drake would have certainly moved towards had he witnessed his success and lived to perform at the Opera House.
Though it was quality from start to finish, my personal highlights of the set were the phenomenal high energy interpretation of “Black Eyed Dog” by Lisa Hannigan (watch below!), Vashti Bunyan‘s loving ode to Nick’s mother with Molly Drake’s “I Remember, You Remember” and just about everything that Krystal Warren pumped out with her powerful baritone voice. What a find! My introduction to the talented singer, as I’m sure was the case for many others in the room.
Having opened the show, it was only proper that Robyn Hitchcock close the night out as well, performing the track “I Saw Nick Drake”, a track he wrote himself which hypothesizes what it would have been like is Nick Drake had lived and if he and Robyn bumped into each other on the street. A wonderful bookend to the night, ahead of the entire ensemble rejoining the stage for a beautiful rendition of “Voice From The Mountain”.
Last night’s performance of Way To Blue is one few will forget anytime soon. It was often breathtaking, occasionally heartwarming, constantly spine chilling and eternally inspiring. This is how tribute nights should be done.